Welcome friends! God Bless and welcome to Eye of the Storm Ministries! I am so glad that you have stopped by to read today's message. If you haven’t already, please visit our website at: www.eyeofthestormministries.org and sign up for our exclusive weekly email bulletin which is packed full of information as well as music!

"Father, I pray in the Mighty name of Jesus that you continue to bless this Ministry as well as the people interacting with it. I pray that this message reaches people in all areas of the world to spread your Word. In Jesus name I Pray, Amen!"

A new kind of plane was on its first flight. It was full of reporters and journalists. A little while after takeoff, the captain's voice was heard over the speakers: "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm delighted to be your pilot for this plane's historic first flight. I can tell you the flight is going well. Nevertheless, I have to tell you about a minor inconvenience that has occurred. The passengers on the right side can, if they look out their windows, see that the closest engine is slightly vibrating. That shouldn't worry you, because this plane is equipped with four engines and we are flying along smoothly at an acceptable altitude.
"As long as you are looking out the right side, you might as well look at the other engine on that side. You will notice that it is glowing, or more precisely one should say, burning. That shouldn't worry you either, as this plane is designed to fly with just two engines if necessary; and we are maintaining an acceptable altitude and speed. As long as we are looking out the plane, those of you on the left side shouldn't worry if you look out your side of the plane and notice that the engine that is supposed to be there is missing. It fell off about 10 minutes ago.
"Let me tell you that we are amazed that the plane is doing so well without it. However, I will call your attention to something a little more serious. Along the center aisle all the way down the plane a crack has appeared. Some of you are, I suppose, able to look through the crack and may even notice the waves of the Atlantic Ocean below. In fact, those of you with very good eyesight may be able to notice a small lifeboat that was thrown from the plane. Well, ladies and gentlemen, you will be happy to know that your captain is keeping an eye on the progress of the
plane from that lifeboat below." (Lee Griess, "Taking the Risk out of Dying")

What a great picture Lee Griess paints for us in the excerpt from his book, “Taking the Risk out of Dying”. When someone accepts Christ into his or her life, we become just like that new plane model getting ready to take off for the first time. We are unaware of the turbulent flight of life ahead of us and are not quite sure what to expect, but at all times we must know where the lifeboat of Jesus is located in case of a sudden crash landing.

1. Taking off with Jesus.

The Lord promises forgiveness and eternal life for anyone who asks. When someone accepts Christ as their Lord and savior, a complete transformation emotionally, spiritually, and physically takes place. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 teaches, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Hallelujah! This particular scripture new believers as well as veteran believers need to meditate on and etch into their minds to reassure that we are transformed into brand new people when we accept Christ and believe that He died to pay for all of our sins on the cross. John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” We must understand that Jesus was sent by God to rescue the world and save all the people that have sinned and fell short of the glory of God and forgiveness and eternal life of Jesus is just a heart to heart away. We will also obtain a pilot for our Journey, called the Holy Spirit, which will guide us through life. Jesus teaches in John 14:16-17, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever; the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” The Journey of a new believer is an exciting one and one that is far from perfect but one that will make us stronger than ever before!

2. Cruising on auto-pilot.

Sometimes after new Believers are born-again, they tend to put on the auto-pilot and just start cruising through life. They may think since they are born-again Christians that their job of a Christian is finished…think again! This is the wrong mindset that a good many Christians have. Even after we are born-again, we must continue to live as Jesus did and represent him in a positive manner and to finish his work. I really like how the Amplified Bible translates what Jesus said in John 4:34, “Jesus said to them, my food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.” We must accomplish and completely finish His work! We can’t just go to Church listen to the message and go home and not think about it again. We must live the Word every day of our lives as well as seek God by spending time with him daily. 2 Chronicles 15:2, “…The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” We can’t keep being feed and not use what we learn to positively impact someone else for Jesus. A true believer will reap what he sows. Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. In other words, we receive what we give. The more we give to bless someone else the more blessings we will receive in return! Let’s learn to turn off the auto-pilot in life and be more proactive for Jesus!

3. Enduring turbulence.

One thing I can testify too, even as a pastor, is the fact that even born-again Christians face trials and tough times on their journey. Just being a Christian isn’t an exemption from this. One of my favorite poems, “Footprints in the Sand”, written by Mary Stevenson, is such a great illustration of reassuring the hope and comfort we have from being a believer in Christ. Knowing in our hearts that during our darkest trials and anguish, when we see only one set of footprints in the sand we can be comforted in knowing that he is carrying us through the ordeal. Praise the Lord! When we are in these times of severe turbulence and senses of crashing, we can be assured that Jesus is saving us in his spiritual life boat and that we have nothing to worry about because he is at the center point of our lives. Psalm 37:24, “Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” His mighty hands are right there underneath us acting as our lifeboat and carrying us through these difficult times. Psalm 138:7, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand You save me.” Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” We must take refuge in Him so we can endure anything that comes in our direct path. Keeping Jesus at our center point will get us through anything!

4. Reaching our final destination.

Every Christian knows that his or her final destination as a believer is living eternally with our Lord Jesus Christ. Two powerful scriptures from the book of John come to mind. The bible teaches us in John 3:15, “…everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.” John 8:51, “I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” Hallelujah! Just knowing that when we believe in Him and accept him as our savior, we will be rewarded eternal life! However, to be promised with this destination, we must be saved. Jesus said this in John 2:7, “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.” What a wonderful promise that is of living eternally with Jesus! This is why everyone must make a decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ. If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and savior and started a personal relationship with Him, then my friends, the time is now because honestly time is running out. Our goal as a believer is to land safely on the paved runway of gold in Heaven. We are taught in Romains 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” All the signs have been pointing in the direction of the Tribulation period and my friends, the day is near. Make a decision to know and live for Jesus today so you don’t miss your chance of a lifetime and eternity. Amen!

If you are reading this message today and haven't started a relationship with Jesus Christ, I want to give you an opportunity to make him your Lord and savior. I promise, it will be the best thing you have ever done. If you do not know Jesus and you want him to come into your heart and change you for the rest of your life, please pray this prayer:

"God, please forgive me. I have sinned and deserve to die. I place my trust in your Son Jesus and accept Him as the sacrifice for my sins. Christ Jesus, I invite you to live within me as my personal savior and Lord forever. Amen!

If you prayed that simple prayer, you are now a born-again Christian and I want to personally welcome you to the family. Congratulations on starting your new Journey in Christ, and I would like to personally hear from you.

Please send me a message at: pastormichael@comcast.net Our ministry will be here for you every step of the way!

God Bless, Pastor Michael